Electronic camera and data file creation apparatus

ABSTRACT

Image data outputted from an image-capturing device 14 is divided to generate a plurality of image data files that are separately reproducible. Using divisional image data included in each of the plurality of image data files, the image data before division is restored. When a color image is to be divided on a pixel-by-pixel basis, data for red, data for green and data for blue are respectively included in the image data of each pixel. When a color image is to be divided on an RGB basis, an image data file for red, a image data file for green and a image data file for blue are created.

[0001] The disclosure of the following priority application is hereinincorporated by reference:

[0002] Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-62129.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to an electronic camera thatrecords a photographed image as electronic data and to a data filegenerating apparatus that generates a data file in the form of, e.g., animage, voice or text.

BACKGROUND ART

[0004] Data of images photographed with an electronic camera or the likeare protected by the rights, such as a portrait right of a photographedsubject and a copyright of a photographer. The inventor has found a wayof dividing image data into plural image data and allowing the dividedimage data to be handled separately, and also splitting theaforementioned portrait right and copyright by disposing informationenough to know the original image data in the divided incomplete imagedata.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is to provide an electronic camera and adata file generating apparatus that divide image or other data to splitthe portrait right or copyright.

[0006] An electronic camera according to the present inventioncomprises: an image-capturing device that captures an subject image andoutputs image data obtained; a dividing means for dividing the imagedata outputted from the image-capturing device; and a file generatingmeans for generating separately reproducible a plurality of image datafiles containing divisional image data divided by the dividing means.

[0007] The image data before division is restored using the divisionalimage data included in each of the plurality of image data files.

[0008] The data structure of each of the plurality of image data filescan as follows:

[0009] Each of the plurality of image data files includes an image dataregion in which the divisional image data are recorded and acomplementary data region in which complementary data other than thedivisional image data is recorded, and the image data region is set at aregion equivalent to a recording region in which the divisional imagedata to be recorded in this image data region are recorded in the imagedata before division.

[0010] As alternative, the following data structure may be employed.That is, each of the plurality of image data files includes an imagedata region in which the divisional image data are recorded and acomplementary data region in which complementary data other than thedivisional image data is recorded, and within each image date file, aplurality of divisional image data are continuously recorded.

[0011] The timing to generate the image data files may be as follows.

[0012] The electronic camera further comprises an image processing meansfor conducting predetermined data processing on the image data outputtedfrom the image-capturing device. The file generating means generates theplurality of image data files after the image processing means conductsthe data processing at the time of photographing of the camera.

[0013] The electronic camera often comprises an outputting means foroutputting the image data outputted from the image-capturing device toan external device. In this electronic camera, the file generating meansgenerates the plurality of image data files before the image data isoutputted from the outputting means. For example, in response to arequest to output the image data from the outputting means to theexternal device, the dividing means divides the image data and the filegenerating means generates the plurality of image data files.

[0014] The dividing means may divide the image data outputted from theimage-capturing device on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

[0015] In this electronic camera, the image data of the pixels can becomposed of image data for red, image data for green, and image data forblue.

[0016] The dividing means may divide the image data outputted from theimage-capturing device into data for red, data for green, and data forblue. In this electronic camera, the file generating means can generateseparately reproducible an image data file for red, an image data filefor green, and an image data file for blue that respectively containsimage data for red, image data for green, and image data for bluedivided by the dividing means.

[0017] The dividing means may divides the image data outputted from theimage-capturing device into a plurality of predetermined blocks. In thiselectronic camera, a file generating means can generates separatelyreproducible a plurality of image data files containing the image dataof the plurality of blocks divided by the dividing means.

[0018] For an electronic camera that divides the image data outputtedfrom the image-capturing device by a predetermined algorithm andgenerates image data files, it is necessary to record the algorithm. Inthis case, the algorithm may be recorded in each data file, or a singlealgorithm file having the algorithm recorded thereon may be generated.

[0019] Since the image data includes an image information portion and anadditional information portion, it can be arranged that the image datafiles respectively include image information portions and additionalinformation portions having been divided. Alternatively, the dividingmeans divides only image data of the image information portion so that aplurality of image information files including the image informationportions divided and an additional information file including theadditional information portion undivided are generated.

[0020] It is generally preferred that image data that the dividing meansdivides be image data serving as one image when it is restored.

[0021] The above data division and data file generation can be effectedon not only image data but also on data such as voice data or text databringing about various rights such as copyrights and portrait rights.

[0022] The above image file division may be conducted on a personalcomputer.

[0023] The electronic camera may be configured as follows.

[0024] This electronic camera comprises: a monitor that displays anoriginal image before division; a selection operation member thatselects a plurality of predetermined templates of arbitrary shapes; adisplay control device that superimposes a selected template on theoriginal image displayed on the monitor; and a file generating means forgenerating, from the image data, a first divisional image file byreading image data within a region corresponding to the template andcomplementing image data of a remaining region by image data that isdifferent from the original image, and for generating, from the originalimage data, a second divisional image file by reading image data of aregion other than the region corresponding to the template andcomplementing image data of a remaining region by image data that isdifferent from the original image data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of an electronicstill camera according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0026]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of pixel thinning division fordividing an original image data file into three image data files.

[0027]FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of component thinning divisionfor dividing an original image data file into three image data files.

[0028]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of arbitrary region thinningdivision for dividing an original image data file into two image datafiles.

[0029]FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of UNKNOWN thinning division fordividing an original image data file into two image data files.

[0030]FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of unknown thinning division fordividing an original image data file into two image data files andgenerating a data file storing a thinning rule at the time of division.

[0031]FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of pixel thinning division thatdoes not use complementary data.

[0032]FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operating system that isused when image data recorded in a single image file is divided into aplurality of arbitrary shapes.

[0033]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of division templates.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the drawings.

[0035] First Embodiment

[0036]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of an electronicstill camera according to a first embodiment of the invention. In FIG.1, a half-pressed signal and a full-pressed signal are respectivelyinputted to a CPU 21 from a half-pressed switch 22 and a full-pressedswitch 23 that work together with a shutter release button not shown.When the half-pressed signal is inputted to the CPU 21, the CPU 21drives a timing generator 24 and a driver 25 to control operation of aCCD 26, which is an image-capturing device. The operational timing of ananalog processing circuit 27 and an A/D conversion circuit 28 iscontrolled by the timing generator 24.

[0037] When the full-pressed switch 23 is turned ON after thehalf-pressed switch 22 is turned ON as described above, light from asubject is imaged on a light-receiving surface of the CCD 26 through aphotographic lens not shown. The CCD 26 stores a signal charge inaccordance with the brightness of the subject image. The signal chargestored in the CCD 26 is swept out by a drive signal from the driver 25and inputted to the analog signal processing circuit 27 including, e.g.,an AGC circuit and a CDS circuit. After analog processing such as gaincontrol and noise removal has been performed on an inputted analog imagesignal by the analog signal processing circuit 27, the analog imagesignal is converted to a digital signal by the A/D conversion circuit28. The digital-converted image signal is introduced to an imageprocessing CPU 29 configured as, e.g., an ASIC, where image processingsuch as white balance adjustment, edge enhancement and gamma correctionis conducted.

[0038] Formatting (image post-processing) for JPEG compression isfurther performed on the image data on which image preprocessing hasbeen conducted, and the formatted image data is temporarily stored in abuffer memory 30. The image data stored in the buffer memory 30 isprocessed into image data for display by a display image creatingcircuit 31 and displayed as a photograph result on an LCD monitor 32.The image data stored in the buffer memory 30 is also data-compressed toa predetermined ratio in JPEG format by a compression circuit 33 andrecorded in a recording medium 34 such as a Flash Memory Card.

[0039] An external interface circuit 35 is, for example, an IEEE1394interface, a LAN interface, a USB interface or a Bluetooth interface,and sends and receives data such as image data between the electronicstill camera and external devices. Arrow keys 323 are used when moving adivision template described later up, down, left and right on themonitor 32. A Zoom In button 324 and a Zoom Out button 325 are used whenmagnifying and reducing the template on the monitor 32.

[0040] In the electronic still camera described above, the image datastored in the buffer memory 30 is divided into a plurality of image datafrom one image data in accordance with a divisional rule describedlater. A plurality of image data thus divided are handled as follows.

[0041] (1) The image data are processed into image data for display bythe display image creating circuit 31 and displayed on the LCD monitor32.

[0042] (2) The image data are data-compressed to a predetermined ratioin JPEG format by the compression circuit 33 and recorded in therecording medium 34.

[0043] (3) The image data are recorded in the recording medium 34without being data-compressed.

[0044] (4) The image data are sent to an external device via theexternal interface circuit 35.

[0045] That is, normally, it is preferable for the image data to bedivided to be image data that becomes one image when it is restored.

[0046] The present invention is arranged so that one image data isdivided into a plurality of image data to be handled separately. Thefirst embodiment is characterized in that image data is divided into aplurality of image data by pixel thinning. Generating a plurality offiles of the divided image data is conducted at a timing of any of: (a)before the photographic result is displayed on the LCD monitor 32 afterprocessing at the time of camera shooting, (b) before the photographedimage data is recorded in the recording medium 34, and (c) during thetime from after photographing to until when the photographed image datais sent to an external device via the external interface circuit 35. Thetiming at which such divisional image data files are generated ischanged and set in advance by menu setting of the electronic stillcamera.

[0047] The divisional processing is appropriately executed by the CPU 21and the ASIC 29, and the plurality of divisional files after divisionare recorded in the memory card 34 together with an original image file.The invention may be configured so that only the divisional files arerecorded in the memory card, and the original image does not have to berecorded. Alternatively, in an electronic camera where a recordingmedium is disposed separately from the memory card 34, the divisionalfiles may be recorded in the memory card 34 and the original image filemay be recorded in the recording medium separate from the memory card34. In this case, the recording medium may be a card-type recordingmedium similar to the memory card 34 and two memory card slots may bedisposed in the electronic camera.

[0048] The electronic camera of the first embodiment can divide anoriginal image with various divisional methods as described later. Thus,a program for executing divisional processing according to those methodsis stored in advance.

[0049]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of pixel thinning division whereone original image data file A is divided into three image data filesA1, A2 and A3. In the original image data file A of FIG. 2, a firstpixel 1 is composed of data 11, data 12 and data 13. For example, whenthe three pieces of data composing up the one pixel are respectively Rdata, G data and B data of the three primary colors, the data 11 is Rdata, the data 12 is G data, and the data 13 is B data. Similarly, asecond pixel is composed of data 21, data 22 and data 23. Also, a thirdpixel is composed of data 23, data 32 and data 33. Moreover, an Xthpixel X is composed of data X1, data X2 and data X3.

[0050] In the first image data file A1 after division, the first pixelis composed of the data 11, the data 12 and the data 13. The secondpixel and the third pixel are respectively composed of threecomplementary data of RGB. Here, the complementary data are, forexample, data that reproduce black. In this case, the complemented imagebecomes black. A fourth pixel of the first image data file A1 iscomposed of data 41, data 42 and data 43. A fifth pixel and a sixthpixel are respectively composed of three complementary data. In thismanner, in the first image data file A1 of the divided image data filesof N number, data of a (1+Nx)th pixel of the original image data file Ais substituted as data of the (1+Nx)th pixel. Here, N is the divisionalnumber and x is 0, 1, 2, etc. That is, the image data file A1 includesdata 1 of the first pixel, data 4 of the fourth pixel, data 7 of theseventh pixel, and so on.

[0051] In the second image data file A2 after division, the first pixeland the third pixel are respectively composed of three complementarydata. The second pixel is composed of the data 21, the data 22 and thedata 23. A fourth pixel and a sixth pixel of the second image data fileA2 are respectively composed of three complementary data. A fifth pixelis composed of data 51, data 52 and data 53. In this manner, in thesecond image data file A2 of the divided image data files of N number,data of a (2+Nx)th pixel of the original image data file A issubstituted as data of the (2+Nx)th pixel. Here, N is the divisionalnumber and x is 0, 1, 2, etc. That is, the image data file A2 includesdata 2 of the second pixel, data 5 of the fifth pixel, data 8 of theeighth pixel, and so on.

[0052] In the third image data file A3 after division, the first pixeland the second pixel are respectively composed of three complementarydata. A third pixel is composed of the data 31, the data 32 and the data33. A fourth pixel and a fifth pixel of the third image data file A3 arerespectively composed of three complementary data. A sixth pixel iscomposed of data 61, data 62 and data 63. In this manner, in the thirdimage data file A3 of the divided image data files of N number, data ofa (3+Nx)th pixel of the original image data file A is substituted asdata of the (3+Nx)th pixel. Here, N is the divisional number and x is 0,1, 2, etc. That is, the image data file A3 includes data 3 of the thirdpixel, data 6 of the sixth pixel, data 8 of the eighth pixel, and so on.

[0053] According to the above-described pixel thinning division, whenthe three pieces of data making up the pixels of the original image datafile A before division are R data, G data and B data of the threeprimary colors, the three image data files A1, A2 and A3 after divisionare achieved to include a color image.

[0054] The image data files A1, A2 and A3 after division are data filesthat respectively include ⅓ of the image data of the original data fileA and in which ⅔ of the data are composed of complementary data. Thus,the image data files A1, A2 and A3 after division can be independentlyhandled because their file format is the same as that of the originalimage data file A. For example, when the original data file A is a filein JPEG format, the image data files A1, A2 and A3 after division arealso files in JPEG format. In this case, the image data files A1, A2 andA3 after division can be separately reproduced in a manner similar towhen the original image data file A is reproduced.

[0055] Because each of the image data files A1, A2 and A3 after divisiononly contains part of the information of the original image data file A,the original image cannot be completely reproduced. However, an imagewith which it is possible to know what kind of image data is containedin the original image data file A can be reproduced. That is, it ispossible to know if the original image data file A contains a portraitimage, a scenic image, or a text image. Of course, the original imagedata file A can be restored by reproducing all of the image data filesA1, A2 and A3 after division, replacing the complementary data portionsthereof with data that the other image data files have and synthesizingthe image data. Such image restoration is conducted using an algorithmreverse to that of image division.

[0056] When the original image data file is equally divided into filesof N number after division each of which contains 1/N of the informationof the original image data, for example, a rate of completion U whenthese files are reproduced is expressed by the following equation (1).

U=M/N×100[%]  (1)

[0057] Here, M is the number of files used at the time of reproductionand N is the divisional number.

[0058] As described above, in a case where the original image data fileis divided into the three image data files A1, A2 and A3, N=3. In a casewhere any one image data file after division is reproduced, 1 issubstituted for M so that the rate of completion U=33% is calculated. Ina case where three image data files after division are used andsynthesized, i.e., the original image data file is restored, 3 issubstituted for M so that the rate of completion U=100% is calculated.

[0059] According to the above-described first embodiment, the followingoperation and advantages are obtained.

[0060] (1) The original image data file A is divided to obtain the threeimage data files A1, A2 and A3 of the same file format as that of theoriginal image data file A. Images of the divided image data files A1,A2, and A3 can be separately reproduced, and each image allows a user toknow what kind of image data is contained in the original image datafile A. Because the divided image data files A1, A2 and A3 can beindependently handled, the rights for viewing the image resulting fromthe original image data file A can be split into three.

[0061] (2) By reproducing all of the divided image data files A1, A2 andA3, replacing the complementary data portions of each image data filewith data that the other image data files have and synthesizing theimage data, an image of the original image data file before division canbe restored. As a result, the rights such as the portrait right and thecopyright of the image regarding the original image data file A, whichwere split into three can be returned to the state before division.

[0062] (3) Because the division of the original image data file A isconducted by pixel (respectively including RGB data) thinning division,when the three pieces of data composing each pixel of the original dataimage file A before division are respectively R data (data for red), Gdata (data for green) and B data (data for blue) of the three primarycolors, the three divided image data files A1, A2 and A3 are achieved toinclude a color image.

[0063] Although data that reproduces black was used as the complementarydata in the above description, data that reproduces white instead ofblack may also be used. Also, data that reproduces another color may beused.

[0064] Also, predetermined image data such as an advertisement orpredetermined text data may also be used as the complementary data.

[0065] Moreover, unspecified numbers such as random numbers may also beused for the complementary data.

[0066] Image data resulting from division of another image data file maybe used as the complementary data. The original image data file A isdivided, as described above, into the three image data files A1, A2 andA3. Here, similar to the original image data file A, an original imagedata file B is divided into three image data files B1, B2 and B3.Moreover, similar to the original image data file A, an original imagedata file C is divided into three image data files C1, C2 and C3. Thedata of the image data files B2 and C3 are then used as thecomplementary data of the image data file A1. Also, the image data filesB1 and C3 are used as the complementary data of the image data file A2.Similarly, the data of the image data files B1 and C2 are used as thecomplementary data of the image data file A3. In this manner, anincrease in data size that arises due to the number of files increasingas a result of division can be suppressed and the amount of memory usedcan be conserved.

[0067] Second Embodiment

[0068] A second embodiment is characterized in that image data isdivided into a plurality of image data by component thinning. FIG. 3 isan explanatory diagram of component thinning division where one originalimage data file A is divided into three image data files A1 a, A2 a andA3 a. In FIG. 3, the data of the original image data file A has the sameconfiguration as that of FIG. 2.

[0069] With respect to the first image data file A1 a after division,the first of the three pieces of data making up the first pixel iscomposed of data 11, and the second and third are composed ofcomplementary data. The complementary data are, for example, data thatreproduce black. In the three pieces of data making up the second pixel,the first is data 21, and the second and third are composed ofcomplementary data. In the three pieces of data making up the thirdpixel, the first is data 31, and the second and third are composed ofcomplementary data. In this manner, in the first image data file A1 a ofthe divided image data files of N number (in the example of FIG. 3,N=3), the first data of the data of N number configuring each pixel ofthe original image data file A is substituted as the first data of thedata of N number configuring each pixel. In other words, in a case wherethe three pieces of data making up the pixels of the original image datafile A are R data, G data and B data of the three primary colors, thefirst image data file A1 a after division is composed of R data andcomplementary data.

[0070] With respect to the second image data file A2 a after division,the first and third of the three pieces of data making up the firstpixel are composed of complementary data, and the second is composed ofdata 12. In the three pieces of data making up the second pixel, thefirst and the third are composed of complementary data, and the secondis composed of data 22. In the three pieces of data making up the thirdpixel, the first and the third are composed of complementary data, andthe second is composed of data 32. In this manner, in the second imagedata file A2 a of the divided image data files of N number, the seconddata of the data of N number configuring each pixel of the originalimage data file A is substituted as data of the second data of the dataof N number configuring each pixel. In other words, in a case where thethree pieces of data making up the pixels of the original image datafile A are R data, G data and B data of the three primary colors, thesecond image data file A2 a after division is composed of G data andcomplementary data.

[0071] With respect to the third image data file A3 a after division,the first and second of the three pieces of data making up the firstpixel are composed of complementary data, and the third is composed ofdata 13. In the three pieces of data making up the second pixel, thefirst and the second are composed of complementary data, and the thirdis composed of data 23. In the three pieces of data making up the thirdpixel, the first and the second are composed of complementary data, andthe third is composed of data 33. In this manner, in the third imagedata file A3 a of the divided image data files of N number, the thirddata of the data of N number configuring each pixel of the originalimage data file A is substituted as the third data of the data of Nnumber configuring each pixel. In other words, in a case where the threepieces of data making up each pixel of the original image data file Aare R data, G data and B data of the three primary colors, the thirdimage data file A3 a after division is composed of B data andcomplementary data.

[0072] According to the above-described component thinning division,when the three pieces of data making up the pixels of the original imagedata file A before division are respectively R data, G data and B dataof the three primary colors, the three image data files A1 a, A2 a andA3 a after division are achieved so that they respectively become an Rimage, a G image and a B image.

[0073] According to the above-described second embodiment, similar tothe first embodiment, the rights for viewing the image resulting fromthe original image data file A can be split. Moreover, because divisionof the original image data file A is conducted by component thinningdivision, when the three pieces of data making up the pixels of theoriginal image data file A are R data, G data and B data of the threeprimary colors, the three image data files A1 a, A2 a and A3 a afterdivision are obtained, which contain images of the respective colorcomponents.

[0074] In the above description, a case was described where the threepieces of data making up the pixels of the image data file A beforedivision were respectively R data, G data and B data from RGB space.Instead of this, four pieces of data making up the pixels of theoriginal image data file A maybe data of cyan, magenta, yellow and blackfrom CMYB spaces. In this case, when the original image data file A isdivided into four image data files A1 a, A2 a, A3 a and A4 a, the fourimage data files A1 a, A2 a, A3 a and A4 a after division respectivelybecome images of the respective color components. That is, it is a casewhere N=4.

[0075] The three pieces of data making up the pixels of the originalimage data file A may also be data from Lab color space. In this case,when the original image data file A is divided into three image datafiles A1 a, A2 a and A3 a, the three image data files A1 a, A2 a and A3a after division respectively contain images of the respective colorcomponents.

[0076] Third Embodiment

[0077] A third embodiment is characterized in that image data is dividedinto a plurality of image data by arbitrary region thinning. FIG. 4 isan explanatory diagram of arbitrary region thinning division where oneoriginal image data file A is divided into two data image files A1 b andA2 b. In FIG. 4, the data of the original image data file A has the sameconfiguration as that of FIG. 2.

[0078] The first image data file A1 b after the division into two imagedata files includes a region, data of which coincides with data of anarbitrary region within the data configuring the original image datafile A, i.e., the data enclosed by the black line BL. Data of the otherregion is composed of complementary data. In this manner, only the dataof the region allocated for the first image data file after divisioncoincides with the data of the original image data file A.

[0079] In the second image data file A2 b after the division into twoimage data files, data of an arbitrary region within the dataconfiguring the original image data file A, i.e., the data enclosed bythe black line, is composed of complementary data. Data of the otherregions coincides with data of the original image data file A. In thismanner, only the data of the region allocated for the second image datafile after division coincides with the data of the original image datafile A.

[0080] In other words, in a n-th image data file Anb (n=1 through N)after division into image data files of N number, only data of theregion allocated for the n-th image data file after division coincideswith the data of the original image data file.

[0081] According to the above-described third embodiment, similar to thefirst and second embodiments, the portrait rights and the copyrights ofthe image resulting from the original image data file A can be split.

[0082] The concrete procedure of arbitrary region thinning, i.e.,arbitrary region division will be described with reference to FIGS. 8and 9.

[0083] First, operational members disposed for arbitrary division willbe described. FIG. 8 shows the rear surface of the electronic camera. InFIG. 8, a photograph of Mt. Fuji shot with the camera is displayed onthe monitor 32 of the camera. Templates representing the shapes ofarbitrary regions used for arbitrary region thinning are displayed in adisplay region 321 at the right side of the display screen of themonitor 32. In FIG. 8, a quadrangular template, a circular template anda Free Hand button operated when designating an arbitrary polygonalshape are displayed in the template display region 321.

[0084] A scroll bar 322 is disposed along the right edge of the templatedisplay region 321, and the template is selected by the operation of thescroll bar 322. For example, after the scroll bar 322 is moved to aselection execution region by a command dial not shown, the scroll bar322 is operated by the up and down selection keys of the arrow keys 323,and the template is selected. As shown in FIG. 8, the selected circulartemplate is superposed and displayed on the monitor 32 and also enclosedwith a dotted line in the template display region 321. FIG. 9 showsother selectable templates. Setting of polygonal regions with the FreeHand button will be described later.

[0085] The arrow keys 323 are disposed below the monitor 32. Byoperating these arrow keys 323, the template superposed and displayed onthe monitor 32 can be moved up, down, right, and left on the monitor 32.

[0086] Below the monitor 32 are disposed the Zoom In button 324, whichmeans magnify the template, and the Zoom Out button 325, which meansreduce the template. The size of the template on the monitor 32 can bechanged by the Zoom In button 324 and the Zoom Out button 325.

[0087] The operation for designating a region in arbitrary regionthinning will be described in concrete terms.

[0088] (1) Method of Designation Using a Template

[0089] A desired template is selected from the template display region321 by the scroll bar 322, and superimposed on the monitor 32. Thetemplate on the monitor 32 is moved to a desired position with the arrowkeys 323. The size of the template is magnified or reduced with the ZoomIn button 324 or the Zoom Out button 325.

[0090] (2) Method of Designating Arbitrary Polygonal Shape with FreeHand Button

[0091] When the Free Hand button is selected from the template displayregion 321 with the scroll bar 322, a pointer is displayed on themonitor 32. The pointer is moved to a desired position with the arrowkeys 323, and the position of the pointer is determined when thefull-pressed switch 23 is operated. One angle of a polygon is designatedby this operation. A frame of a desired polygonal shape is designated byrepeatedly conducting the above operation.

[0092] When the arbitrary region is designated by the operation of theabove-described (1) or (2) and division start is instructed, the imagedata inside the designated arbitrary region is read from the originalimage data file (image file A in FIG. 4), the pixels corresponding tothe region outside the arbitrary region are complemented by, forexample, data for black, and these data are saved as a new image file(image file A1 a in FIG. 4). Also, the image data outside the designatedarbitrary region is read from the original image data file (image file Ain FIG. 4), the pixels of the designated arbitrary region correspondingto a template are complemented by, for example, data for black, andthese data are saved as a new image file (image file A2 b in FIG. 4).

[0093] When arbitrary regions are designated a plurality of number oftimes and the designated arbitrary regions overlap, divisional imagefiles are created as follows. When an arbitrary region has beendesignated a first time, the two divisional files are created asdescribed above. For example, they are the image files A1 a and A2 b ofFIG. 4. Here, for convenience, they are called a first divisional imagefile and a second divisional image file. In this case, an image based onthe second divisional image file is displayed on the display monitor 32.That is, the shape of the first arbitrary region is colored black in thedisplayed image. A second arbitrary region is then designated on thedisplay monitor 32. In a case where part of the secondly designatedarbitrary region overlaps the first arbitrary region, the image data ofa region in which the two arbitrary regions do not overlap within thesecond arbitrary region (below, non-overlapping region) is read from theoriginal image data file (image file A of FIG. 4), the pixelscorresponding to the region outside the non-overlapping region arecomplemented by, for example, data for black, and these data are savedas a new image file. This is called a third divisional image file.Moreover, the pixels within the non-overlapping region from the seconddivisional image file are complemented by, for example, data for black,and these data are saved as a new image file. This is called a fourthdivisional image file. An image based on the fourth divisional imagefile is displayed on the display monitor 32.

[0094] Moreover, the first, third and fourth divisional image files ofthe first to fourth divisional image files are used as image files fortallying.

[0095] Fourth Embodiment

[0096] In a fourth embodiment, image data is divided into a plurality ofimage data by UNKNOWN thinning. In each of the pixel thinning division,component thinning division and arbitrary region thinning divisiondescribed above, a thinning rule at the time of division was set inadvance. Thus, information relating to the thinning rule was notincluded in each image data file after division. In contrast to this,the fourth embodiment is characterized in that information relating tothe thinning rule of division is included per divided image data file.

[0097]FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of UNKNOWN thinning divisionwhere one original image data file A is divided into two image datafiles A1 c and A2 c. In FIG. 5, the data of the original image data fileA has the same configuration as that of FIG. 2.

[0098] The first image data file A1 c after division into the two imagedata files includes image data and the thinning rule. The thinning ruleis the same as that applied to the other image data file A2 c afterdivision. The content of image data “??” follows the thinning rule. Inthis manner, the data applied to the first image data file afterdivision by the thinning rule coincides with the data of the originalimage data file A.

[0099] The second image data file A2 c after division into the two imagedata files includes image data and the thinning rule. The thinning ruleis the same as that applied to the other image data file A1 c afterdivision. The content of image data “??” follows the thinning rule. Inthis manner, the data applied to the second image data file afterdivision by the thinning rule coincides with the data of the originalimage data file A.

[0100] In other words, in a n-th image data file Anc (n=1 through N)after division into image data files of N number, only data applied forthe n-th image data file after division by the thinning rule coincideswith the data of the original image data file A.

[0101] According to the above-described fourth embodiment, similar tothe first through third embodiments, the portrait right or the copyrightof the image resulting from the original image data file A can be split.Moreover, because the thinning rule is included in the image data filesafter division, the thinning rule can be changed when dividing the imagedata with the electronic still camera. That is, in the first throughthird embodiments, because the thinning rule is set in advance, theoriginal image data file A before division can be restored byreproducing all of the image data files after division and replacing thecomplementary data portions of each with the data that the other imagedata files include. However, when the thinning rule is changed by theelectronic still camera, the original image data cannot be restoredunless the thinning rule is known. Thus, in the fourth embodiment, byincluding the thinning rule in the image data files after division, itbecomes possible to restore the original image data file before divisioneven if the thinning rule is changed.

[0102] Instead of recording the thinning rule in all of the dividedimage data files, a data file in which only the thinning rule isrecorded may also be generated. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram ofUNKNOWN thinning division where one original image data file A isdivided into two image data files A1 d and A2 d and a data file R inwhich the thinning rule at the time of division is stored is generated.In FIG. 6, the data of the original image data file A has the sameconfiguration as that of FIG. 2.

[0103] The content of image data “??” of the first image data file A1 dafter division into the two image data files follows the thinning rulestored in the data file R. That is, the data applied to the first imagedata file after division by the thinning rule coincides with the data ofthe original image data file A. The content of image data “??” of thesecond image data file A2 d after division into the two image data filesfollows the thinning rule stored in the data file R. That is, the dataapplied to the second image data file after division by the thinningrule coincides with the data of the original image data file A.

[0104] Fifth Embodiment

[0105] In the above-described first through fourth embodiments,description was given in regard to division of image data portions.Usually, data generated by the electronic still camera includes an imagedata portion and an additional information portion. The image dataportion is the minimum data necessary to reproduce an image, which isrequired to meet standards, such as JPEG format. The additionalinformation portion is data such as a description (caption) of theimage, photographing information (shutter speed, exposure time, etc.),and an voice caption. In the fifth embodiment, the image data portion ofthe original image data file A is divided into image data files of Nnumber and registered, and an image data file including the additionalinformation portion and an image data portion composed of complementarydata is registered as an N+1th file.

[0106] In regard to the division into image data files of N number, oneof any of the division methods according to the aforementioned firstthrough fourth embodiments is used. In the N+1th file, data generating,for example, black is used as complementary data for the image dataportion thereof. Also, the additional information portion that theoriginal image data file A has is used for the additional informationportion of the N+1th file.

[0107] According to the above-described fifth embodiment, similar to thefirst through fourth embodiments, the portrait right and the copyrightof the image resulting from the original image data file A can be split.Moreover, the data of the additional information portion that theoriginal image data file A has can be registered in the N+1th file afterdivision.

[0108] In the fifth embodiment, description was given of an examplewhere only the image data portion of the original image data file A isdivided into the first to Nth image data files and registered and theadditional information portion is registered without being divided intothe N+1th file. In place thereof, the invention may be configured sothat the additional information portion is registered without beingdivided in each of the first to Nth image data files after division.

[0109] Also, the invention may be configured so that the image dataportion is not divided and only the additional information portion isdivided. In this case, the additional information portion is dividedseparately into headings such as captions and photographing information.Then, the caption and the image data portion of the original image datafile A are combined and registered as an image data file A1 e afterdivision, and the photographing information and the image data portionof the original image data file A are combined and registered as animage data file A2 e. Thus, the right to obtain the additionalinformation portion resulting from the original image data file A can besplit.

[0110] Moreover, both the image data portion and the additionalinformation portion of the original image data file A may be divided,and the divided image data portions and the divided additionalinformation portions may be respectively combined and registered asimage data files A1 f and A2 f.

[0111] In the above description, a case was described where the thinningrule was set so that the image data portion of the original image datafile A before division was equally divided per 1/N and applied to eachimage data file of N number after division. In place thereof, thedivision ratio may be changed by adding weight to the thinning rule. Inthis case, the portrait right and the copyright of the image resultingfrom the original image data file A can be unequally segmented.

[0112] In the above description, the plurality of image data files afterdivision respectively included part of the original image data file A,and data that was lacking after division in comparison to the originalimage was complemented. An image data file after division may begenerated by filling the portions of lacking data, instead of using thecomplementary data. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of pixel thinningdivision that does not use complementary data. The original image datafile A before division is the same as that of FIG. 2. In a first imagedata file A1′ after division in FIG. 7, the first pixel is composed ofdata 11, data 12 and data 13. The second pixel is composed of data 41,data 42 and data 43. In this manner, the data of the (1+Nx)th pixel ofthe original image data file A is substituted as the data of the (1+x)thpixel of the first image data file. Here, N is the divisional number,and x is 0, 1, 2, etc.

[0113] In a second image data file A2′ after division in FIG. 7, thefirst pixel is composed of data 21, data 22 and data 23. The secondpixel is composed of data 51, data 52 and data 53. In this manner, thedata of the (2+Nx)th pixel of the original image data file A issubstituted as the data of the (1+x)th pixel of the second image datafile. Here, N is the divisional number, and x is 0, 1, 2, etc.

[0114] In a third image data file A3′ after division in FIG. 7, thefirst pixel is composed of data 31, data 32 and data 33. The secondpixel is composed of data 61, data 62 and data 63. In this manner, thedata of the (3+Nx)th pixel of the original image data file A issubstituted as the data of the (1+x)th pixel of the third image datafile. Here, N is the divisional number, and x is 0, 1, 2, etc.

[0115] As described above, when data intervals are filled and image datafiles after division are generated without complementing lacking dataafter division, an increase in data size that arises due to the numberof files increasing as a result of division can be suppressed and theamount of memory used can be conserved.

[0116] It should be noted that the invention may also be configured sothat the division methods according to the first through fifthembodiments are selected with the camera.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0117] While description was given above using an electronic stillcamera as an example, the invention can also be applied to videocameras, recording devices, and document creating devices such as wordprocessors. That is, the invention is not limited to still image datafiles and can also be applied to moving image data files, files in athree-dimensional image format, files in an audio format, and files in atext format.

[0118] The invention can also be applied to a case where a data file isdownloaded to and divided in a personal computer or the like. In thiscase, a program for executing the various divisional formats is storedin advance in the personal computer, the original image file is readfrom a memory card or the like, and image division such as describedabove is conducted. Thus, the computer functions as a data filegenerating apparatus.

1. An electronic camera, comprising: an image-capturing device thatcaptures an subject image and outputs image data obtained; a dividingmeans for dividing the image data outputted from the image-capturingdevice; and a file generating means for generating separatelyreproducible a plurality of image data files containing divisional imagedata divided by the dividing means.
 2. An electronic camera according toclaim 1, wherein: the image data before division is restored using thedivisional image data included in each of the plurality of image datafiles.
 3. An electronic camera, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: eachof the plurality of image data files includes an image data region inwhich the divisional image data are recorded and a complementary dataregion in which complementary data other than the divisional image datais recorded, and the image data region is set at a region equivalent toa recording region in which the divisional image data to be recorded inthis image data region are recorded in the image data before division.4. An electronic camera according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: each of theplurality of image data files includes an image data region in which thedivisional image data are recorded and a complementary data region inwhich complementary data other than the divisional image data isrecorded, and within each image date file, a plurality of divisionalimage data are continuously recorded.
 5. An electronic camera accordingto any one of claims 1 through 4, further comprising: an imageprocessing means for conducting predetermined data processing on theimage data outputted from the image-capturing device, wherein the filegenerating means generates the plurality of image data files after theimage processing means conducts the data processing at the time ofphotographing of the camera.
 6. An electronic camera according to anyone of claims 1 through 4, further comprising: an outputting means foroutputting the image data outputted from the image-capturing device toan external device, wherein the file generating means generates theplurality of image data files before the image data is outputted fromthe outputting means.
 7. An electronic camera according to claim 6,wherein: in response to a request to output the image data from theoutputting means to the external device, the dividing means divides theimage data and the file generating means generates the plurality ofimage data files.
 8. An electronic camera, comprising: a monitor thatdisplays an original image before division; a selection operation memberthat selects a template among a plurality of predetermined templates ofarbitrary shapes; a display control device that superimposes a selectedtemplate on the original image displayed on the monitor; and a filegenerating means for generating, from the image data, a first divisionalimage file by reading image data within a region corresponding to thetemplate and complementing image data of a remaining region by imagedata that is different from the original image, and for generating, fromthe original image data, a second divisional image file by reading imagedata of a region other than the region corresponding to the template andcomplementing image data of a remaining region by image data that isdifferent from the original image data.
 9. A data file generatingapparatus, comprising: a dividing means for dividing data into pluraldata; and a file generating means for generating separately reproduciblea plurality of data files containing divisional data divided by thedividing means.
 10. A data file generating apparatus according to claim9, wherein: each of the plurality of data files includes the divisionaldata divided by the dividing means, and the data before division isrestored using these divisional data.
 11. An electronic camera,comprising: an image-capturing device that captures a subject image andoutputs image data obtained; a dividing means for dividing the imagedata outputted from the image-capturing device on a pixel-by-pixelbasis; and a file generating means for generating separatelyreproducible a plurality of image data files containing image data ofpixels divided by the dividing means.
 12. An electronic camera accordingto claim 11, wherein: the image data of the pixels is composed of imagedata for red, image data for green, and image data for blue.
 13. Anelectronic camera, comprising: an image-capturing device that captures asubject image and outputs image data obtained; a dividing means fordividing the image data outputted from the image-capturing device intodata for red, data for green, and data for blue; and a file generatingmeans for generating separately reproducible an image data file for red,an image data file for green, and an image data file for blue thatrespectively contains image data for red, image data for green, andimage data for blue divided by the dividing means.
 14. An electroniccamera, comprising: an image-capturing device that captures a subjectimage and outputs image data obtained; a dividing means for dividing theimage data outputted from the image-capturing device into a plurality ofpredetermined blocks; and a file generating means for generatingseparately reproducible a plurality of image data files containing theimage data of the plurality of blocks divided by the dividing means. 15.An electronic camera, comprising: an image-capturing device thatcaptures a subject image and outputs image data obtained; a dividingmeans for dividing the image data outputted from the image-capturingdevice; and a file generating means for generating respectivelyreproducible a plurality of image data files in which the image datadivided by the dividing means are stored by a predetermined algorithmand in which the algorithm is also recorded.
 16. An electronic camera,comprising: an image-capturing device that captures a subject image andoutputs image data obtained; a dividing means for dividing the imagedata outputted from the image-capturing device; and a file generatingmeans for generating respectively reproducible a plurality of image datafiles in which the image data divided by the dividing means are storedby a predetermined algorithm, and for generating one algorithm file inwhich the algorithm is recorded.
 17. An electronic camera according toany one of claims 11 through 16, wherein: the image data includes animage information portion and an additional information portion; and theimage data files respectively include image information portions andadditional information portions having been divided.
 18. An electroniccamera according to any one of claims 11 through 16, wherein: the imagedata includes an image information portion and an additional informationportion; the dividing means divides only image data of the imageinformation portion; and the file generating means generates a pluralityof image information files including the image information portionsdivided and an additional information file including the additionalinformation portion undivided.
 19. An electronic camera according to anyone of claims 11 through 18, further comprising: an image processingmeans for conducting predetermined data processing on the image dataoutputted from the image-capturing device, wherein the file generatingmeans generates the plurality of image data files after the imageprocessing means conducts the data processing at the time ofphotographing of the camera.
 20. An electronic camera according to anyone of claims 11 through 18, further comprising: an outputting means foroutputting the image data outputted from the image-capturing device toan external device, wherein the file generating means generates theplurality of image data files before the image data is outputted fromthe outputting means.
 21. An electronic camera according to any one ofclaims 1 through 8 and 11 through 20, wherein: the image data that thedividing means divides is image data serving as one image when it isrestored.
 22. An data file generating apparatus according to claim 9 or10, wherein: the image data that the dividing means divides is imagedata serving as one image when it is restored.